Someone talk me into coming...

After you get in you will forget about the long line and be very happy.

Going solo is great. One big adventure. Many go solo.

Will people be friendly? You are talking about Bonnaroo. ;D Be friendly and you will attract other friendly rooers.

if you go VIP you wont have to worry about waiting in line forever

I went to my first Bonnaroo in 2006 by myself, I was supposed to go with this girl but plans fell through and I was going to just skip it. I literally woke up the day before and decided to go through with it solo. Now I live closer than you, so it was a little easier. Still I read Leo's checklist, got all the stuff on it, and went to Krogers and bought all of my favorite brand of beer they had.


My experience that weekend was one of the best I have ever had, and I made friends I still have to this day. So by all means I think get a GA ticket, pack your stuff and a smile and come to Bonnaroo. No one should do their first year VIP.

Just buy a GA. It will be awesome either way.

I would definitely say go GA. Like others said, the first year experience won't be the same if you go VIP, and if money is a concern....well imho I don't think VIP is worth the cost AT ALL. The benefits do not justify the ridiculous gap in price between GA and VIP.

The line to get in is really, really not a big deal. My first year we waited in line about 4 hours, and my friend whose car we were in didn't want to run the AC while his car was off/idling, so it was 4 hours in a HOT car...this was 07 so extra hot! And still the only time I ever think about that wait is remembering how fun it was. I won't pretend you won't get bored or hot or hungry or need to pee really badly while you're waiting, but about half an hour after you're done in that line you'll forget all about it.

As for going alone...do it! Sounds like you're willing to meet people and make friends, and that is absolutely the only requirement for doing so at Bonnaroo. If you want to make friends, you will. Introduce yourself to your neighbors (bonus: they will very likely let you hang out under their shade tent or share some beer or something!), chat with people near you at shows, share a table with strangers when you get something to eat. You will absolutely meet some people to talk to and with a liiittle bit of effort you could easily make some really good friends to hang out with throughout the weekend and keep in touch with.

Basically...Bonnaroo is the best place in the world. The fact that this message board exists, with a TON of people who think and talk about Roo EVERY DAY OF THE YEAR pretty much proves that! And I always think it's better to regret something you did than something you didn't do. Which isn't a concern anyway really - I promise you if you go to Bonnaroo you will not regret. And I could pretty much guarantee you that if you don't go, you will regret it.

The key is that every experience is unique. You will have fun. Also, if you see a guy wearing Viking Horns and a Clock (see below), come say hi! Call me either Pondo or Bryan.

pepper...how could anyone not go after reading that?? you just made me really super excited for my first roo!!!

In year's past you could buy a GA ticket and then purchase a single ticket upgrade via the travel package page. I haven't looked into the travel packages at all this year, so I am not sure they are still doing this.

You should absolutely come. Not speaking from experience though because as my display name suggests, this is my first Bonnaroo. And I'm flying solo too. So if you want, we can hang together. And I see no reason why your first Bonnaroo cannot be VIP if you can afford it. I'm going VIP myself because I would rather focus on the music, not on the long lines to get in or the long walks to Centeroo. (I admit though that many would consider the latter to be an intrinsic part of the whole Bonnaroo experience.) I also like the fact that there are special viewing areas for VIP at the What and Which stages. So you can arrive late for a show and still hopefully get a half-decent spot. And when you want a taste of GA, you can always walk across. In the interest of full disclosure though, I would also like to state clearly that I do have an extra VIP ticket I am hoping to sell. So PM me if you're interested. VIP or GA, either way I'm sure you'll have a blast. So stop fretting and just come.

While I did say GA and I stand by that... this thread needs a few more VIP perspectives, since that was a big part of audior8's original query

VIP in a nutshell...


Pros

1) proximity
2) real bathrooms (er, well, a damn sight better than a porto)
3) unlimted, 24/4 showers. hell, you can usually shower on monday morning too, so 24/5
4) better security lines
5) less sketch
6) open bar on thusday night!
7) what and which stage viewing - not the closest, but nice to have a place to get away
8) the AC lounges in both the VIP area and behind the which stage bleachers
9) t shirt and poster! (okay, im stretching it a bit...)
10) VIP only shows - technically, ive only been to i think 2 of them... last year people were all about the VIP show with Hockey but I stayed out of the rain

Cons

1) its really pricey!
2) did I mention the price?
3) no more free food, although i didnt miss it - there is free food thurs night
4) people's misconceptions that you're a snob because you're in VIP
5) do you miss the "real" bonnaroo? ive been both ways and would say no. at the end of 06 when i flew down and did tent-only, i felt like i survived. all the other years i went VIP and at the end, i felt like i had a good time. ask yourself - is this a vacation or an endurance test?

I know this is a wee bit off topic, but since you guys were talkin about GA vs VIP, if someone manages to get a VIP ticket, it's not a problem to camp out in GA area, right? but then we can park in the VIP area, avoid the entrance line, use the VIP showers, etc?

I doubt I'd be able to find one for less than a GA or free, but I was just curious...

Right. I figured the whole passengers need VIP wristbands, but I forgot about the parking pass, so that might not even work if I didnt have one. I was thinking if I went in VIP though, I could go get a better Tent Only spot.

we shall see. Thanks!

1st thing's 1st though... the ticket, haha.